Tuesday, July 14, 2015

New Zealand:

Research Explores Geothermal Law Framework (Scoop)

A lack of clarity surrounding geothermal resource management has prompted new research by a University of Waikato masters student.

Phoebe Parson is studying towards her LLM (Master of Laws degree) and is carrying out the research to provide clarity for organisations such as regional councils and commercial users of geothermal resources, such as geothermal energy operators.

The focus of the research is the framework for sharing information about geothermal systems that are in commercial production.

In the course of their operations, the companies that hold resource consents gather information about the geothermal resource, for company purposes.

However, regional councils which administer the resource also need information to carry out their roles as custodians on behalf of the public.

Parson will analyse the existing legal framework for information sharing under the Resource Management Act and compare it with other regimes for managing natural resources, and similar legislation overseas.

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